Need Serious help here

Today I found a kitten stranded in the rain with ants all over it and no Momma to be found anywhere. Baby is about 1 week old according to the vet. Right now I have this baby on a heating pad on low covered in a towel to keep him warm. I have been trying to give it some kitten milk in an eyedropper as much as it will take(which isn't very much IMO). I need serious advice as to what to do to help keep this little one alive. This will be my first ever time of finding one so very very young. Prayers for this baby would be appreciated too


PLEASE HELP!

I'm by far an expert as I have only had to bottle feed once and he was 4 weeks old. You need to get to a pet store and buy a little bottle and some kitten formula. The kitten needs to suckle. Also it will need stimulation to go potty. I believe a warm wet cloth should do the trick.

The experts should be along shortly but at least this is a start.

Cathi, what kind of ants? And did they bite the little one?

I would get rid of the heating pad if it is a human heating pad, it will burn the skin as this one is to little and to weak to move off the heat. Instead make up some rice heaters with old socks, minute rice and a microwave. Fill the socks half full of uncooked rice. Tie off the ends and nuke the tied sock for 30 seconds. This gives you about two hours of "safe heat." You need a special nipple to feed this wee one- if you have a walgreens near you, then generally carry it- it has an elongated nipple that goes further into the throat. I would also pouch this baby, if you have a chest hugging backpack, or you can make a pouch from an old pillow case and a cord. Fashion it much like you would a purse, turning down the open ends and tucking the cord underneath, then securing the cord with a quick running stitch. Position the pouch so it is close to your chest right over your heart, put soft bedding inside and place the baby inside as well. He will be comforted by your warmth of your body and your beating heart.

If you can't do this, then keep him in a nice warm place out of drafts and keep it dark and quiet. He will need to be fed every two hours 24 hours a day. I would also get some liquid vitamins from your vet to add to the KMR- do not feed him milk. You will have to stimulate him very gently or you may tear his vulnerable skin. If he has been bitten repeatedly, he could be quite anemic and ill and so he needs to watched carefully


Good luck!

Oh and check your PM's

Hissy these were those horrid fire ants. There was blood all over his/her little bottom when I got it out of them.That's how I found the baby he was screaming so loudly. I have a fannypack would that work to keep this baby in? I knew that I just couldn't leave this baby there to die a horriable death being eatten alive by those ants.

Awwww, that poor baby! Thank goodness you found him!
Sending mega good vibes to both of you.

oh, gosh, what a horrible thing to happen to a little guy.
while i cant offer any more advice, i wish you all the best with this guy.
keep us updated

This little angel has gone to the bridge I tried little one I really did to make things better for you but I failed miserablely. I am sorry sweet angel

Originally Posted by blondiecat

This little angel has gone to the bridge

I tried little one I really did to make things better for you but I failed miserablely. I am sorry sweet angel

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I am sooooo sorry....I lost a foster kitten recently and it hurt so much. I know you did all you could...HUGS.

Katie

Cathi has informed me this little one has passed away. Those with Bridge candles, please light one for this little one who knew great suffering, but also experienced unconditional love-

I am sorry Cathi- I know you are devastated- I will move this to the Bridge

I am so sorry to hear about that. At leasts its final few hours were in warmth and love, even if that doesn't feel fair at all.

It is so hard to lose them.

Originally Posted by blondiecat

This little angel has gone to the bridge

I tried little one I really did to make things better for you but I failed miserablely. I am sorry sweet angel

Click to expand...

I am so sorry to hear of your pain. Please don't think for 1 second that you you failed...sometimes life just isn't fair and it is not always in our hands. God bless you for trying.

Originally Posted by blondiecat

This little angel has gone to the bridge

I tried little one I really did to make things better for you but I failed miserablely. I am sorry sweet angel

Click to expand...

Cathi, you were in no way a failure! You were fighting a losing battle from the get-go- Please don't be hard on yourself. You did all you could, and you allowed this kitten to die knowing love and not alone in a field in the rain-

Oh dear ... this poor little baby! Lamb, you went above and beyond to help this wee one and while I know your heart is hurting now, you did such a good thing to want to help Baby. Remember that in your grief and try not to beat yourself up so.

My Bridge Candle is lit and burning brightly on the mantle this evening in the hopes of it's warm and loving light will guide your little Angel to the Bridge.

Healing hugs and light,

Gaye

Cathi, hon, firstly, thank you so much for making the last hours of that sweet baby much easier! You at least allowed him to pass knowing love and warmth my friend, and rescued him from those nasssty little fire ants! You did all you could, and although right now it doesn't feel like enough, it was. You are in my thoughts and prayers tonight my friend. {HUGS}

Oh, how sad! Poor little baby, and poor Cathi to fall in love immediately and then to lose him! I am very sorry for the loss of this tiny beloved baby. Thank you for offering him warmth, comfort, and love while you could!

I am in tears How awful! You did all you could do for that little baby! You are in my thoughts.


Courtney

Thank you all for your kind words and a special thank you goes to Mary Anne. I wanted so much for this baby to live and grow and be one of my terrible monsters.

I just hope that Baby knew for his short little time he was with me he captured my heart and that he was loved,that I sit here and weep for him It just is not fair that Baby had to suffer like that.

Make your way to the bridge Baby angel.

Oh, Cathi, bless you for giving this precious baby such gentle love and care in his last few hours in this world. He knows just how much you love him now as he joins his new family at The Bridge. You have a new angel watching over you tonight.

Cathi, you are quite welcome. I am sorry that there wasn't a different outcome for the little one. But believe me, he knew you saved him when he stopped squealing as you picked him up out of that field. As I told you, chances are strong his mom dumped him there to give him back to nature and keep the rest of her litter strong. It is cruel to us, but it is nature's way and only the strongest do survive-

Hugs

Cathi,
I am so sorry to hear this story and with a bad ending for you. You did all you could to help this poor little one, you gave him comfort, love and relief in the end. My thoughts are with you. RIP little baby one.